Chinese PV Industry Brief: More snapshots from SNEC 2025
Solar manufacturers announced a range of module sales agreements, supply deals and new products last week at SNEC 2025 PV Expo in Shanghai.
Ireland shuts last coal plant, becomes 15th coal-free country in Europe
Moneypoint in County Clare, Ireland, joins the ranks of other European nations exiting coal by shutting off power generation at its sole remaining coal plant. Industry observers say Ireland’s increased renewable energy generation in recent years, particularly in wind, has contributed to this milestone. Moneypoint now functions as a backup oil burner under emergency instruction, but it is no longer active in the wholesale electricity market.
Array Technologies to acquire APA Solar
Solar tracker supplier Array Technologies has signed an agreement to acquire Ohio-based solar racking company APA Solar for $179 million.
Pexapark reports significant slowdown in European PPAs in May
European power purchase agreement (PPA) activity slowed sharply in May, with only 12 deals totaling 232 MW, marking the lowest monthly volume since 2020, according to data from Swiss-based analytics firm Pexapark.
Indonesia’s Pertamina secures 20% stake in Citicore Renewables
Indonesia’s Pertamina New & Renewable Energy (Pertamina NRE) has acquired a 20% stake in Philippine solar developer Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC) for $120 million, with both companies planning joint investments in solar and other renewable projects in Indonesia.
UGT Renewables to build 3 GW of solar in Iraq
UGT Renewables, a US-based developer, says it will build a 3 GW solar project in Iraq under a deal with the federal government that includes 500 MWh of storage and 1,000 km of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) lines.
‘Equity begins with visibility’
This week Women in Solar+ Europe gives voice to Jessimiela Usidame, Procurement Manager at UK-based Elgin. She says creating equity means making space for women to speak, lead, and shape outcomes at every level. “Still, many women in commercial and project-facing roles must prove themselves — again and again. There’s often an unspoken presumption about what we can’t do, before anyone sees what we can,” she states.
Indonesia, Singapore partner on solar supply chain in Riau Islands
Indonesia and Singapore have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a solar manufacturing supply chain in Indonesia’s Riau Islands province, as part of broader plans to enable cross-border clean energy trading.
Poland pilots solar arrays near major highway
Poland has installed solar arrays along the S5 expressway as part of a project to cut infrastructure operating costs. Surplus electricity will feed the grid or supply electric vehicle charging stations.
Romania extends investment in solar for public institutions
Romania’s Ministry of Energy is backing 47 solar projects to produce electricity for self-consumption in schools, hospitals, city halls and other public institutions. It has now supported more than 1,000 such contracts, together reaching a combined capacity of 390 MW.
